LICENSED operators of private hire and hackney carriage vehicles operating across the Bradford district have six months to comply with new rules being enforced by the Council.

The authority's Regulatory and Appeals Committee yesterday unanimously approved plans by Bradford Licensing Service designed to create a uniform approach for standards across West Yorkshire.

The committee was told that at present, a hackney carriage can lawfully be used for pre-booked work outside its district, with around 200 out-of-area drivers currently operating across Bradford, many from the Lancashire borough of Rossendale.

Under the new rules, advance bookings taken for hackney carriage vehicles licensed by another authority must be maintained in a completely separate register of bookings, available for inspection by the Council.

A separate telephone line and number must also be used, with a pre-recorded intercept message on the unique booking line stating that the driver and vehicle is not licensed by Bradford Council, with customers having to deal with the relevant licensing authority in the event of any complaint.

Chairman of the committee, Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke), said: "Safeguarding the public is our top priority, and this will help in bringing all West Yorkshire authorities together."

Operators must officially adhere to the new guidelines by August 17.